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Sunday, February 7, 2016

Fasting. Who likes it? Probably no one truly enjoys it. Popular among various religious sects and belief systems, many followers of the fasting ritual do it for health and spiritual benefits. We are focusing on the health benefits here. Because 50 buffalo wings, 5 beers, and 100 cheesy appetizers and dips later, you could be setting yourself up for a stomach ache in the morning. Totally not project: Clean Food approved. But at the end of the day, it is Super Bowl: we understand. And besides, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, and Coldplay at the half time show are enough to excite anyone to eat and drink things that may not necessarily agree with our bodies. But fear not, we've got you covered. We hope you ate and celebrated joyfully this evening. Because tomorrow, we're prescribing a little 18-hour fast to help invigorate and rejuvenate your body after tonight's amazing romp. It sounds a lot harder than it actually is. And if it's any motivation, Coldplay's Chris Martin is likely fasting tonight or tomorrow according to his new 6:1 diet (eat 6 days, fast 1 day).

So here's how this is gonna go:

After your joyous quasi-dinner of appetizers and nibblings, take a time check. Let's say it's 11:30pm when all of the festivities are over. Tomorrow (Monday), you will be eating solid food at 7:30pm or little later: 18 hours. And what does that look like? Well, there are a three ways to do this, each increasing in intensity:

1. Route 101–Juices, Smoothies, Waters

When you get up in the morning, opt not for coffee. Opt not for boxed juices, milks, or other weird artificially sweetened drinks. Maybe set some time aside to make yourself a juice or smoothie. If you don't have a juicer or a blender, make a pit stop at your local health food store or juice bar to get your smoothie or freshly blended juice. What to get? What to make? If it's a juice, think greens, carrots, beets, ginger, or something like that. If it's a smoothie, think berries, bananas, pineapple, almond milk, kiwi, or some sort of blend that seems appealing. And whatever you choose, make this one of your "meals" today. Now here is the important part, each and every time you feel hungry, go for one of these juices or smoothies. I know it sounds excruciating but it will pass the hunger. The other option here is a water based drink: tea or water with lemon is fine. No snacking. No nibbling. No nuts, health bars, no nothing. If you are focusing on work tomorrow, it will be a lot easier for you. When the mind is engaged, it is not so concerned with food (hopefully). When the 18th hour approaches, don't eat a whole plate of food like a crazy person. Use something small to break the fast: a health bar, a turkish fig, a date, hummus and chips, salad, etc. Then, enjoy your dinner.

2. Route 66–Your Daily Drinks

Now some of you probably freaked out when I said no coffee or no milks. But, with this approach, it's perfectly fine to drink your normal drinks of the day. Coffee? No problem. Just consider doing without heavy sweeteners. Tea? Drink any tea you want: cold or hot. All teas (especially herbal ones) are very good for the body when it is going through a short fast. Maybe you're more of a apple juice or orange juice person? Go for it. Just consider something that's probably organic or possibly fresh squeezed. Simply said, have your normal drinks but with a healthy twist. Now I know most of you are drinking water daily, so make sure you drink water where you can throughout the day. These beverages will be your "go-to's" for the day. And again, when the 18th hour approaches, don't eat a whole plate of food like a crazy person. Use something small to break the fast: a health bar, a turkish fig, a date, hummus and chips, a salad, etc. Then, enjoy your regular dinner.

3. I-95–Just Water and Lemon

This is a tough one: and not recommended for those with prior health issues that deal with the kidneys or liver. And definitely not the route you want to take if you're pregnant. Now although this one is the hardest way, it's probably one of the most purifying ways both mentally and physically. By drinking just lemon water during this 18-hour period, it allows your entire digestive system to rest and more effectively process the foods and drinks from the days prior as well as the night before. So just like the other means of fasting prescribed, drink lemon water when you feel hungry. While it will not pass the hunger entirely, the goal is that will hopefully help you take your mind off of that wild craving of hunger. And again, if you're working all day tomorrow, keeping your focus there on work will ideally make time pass quickly.